by TyrannoTitan » Fri May 25, 2012 8:55 pm
Two hours later, Jiier gradually awoke from his stupor, looking around at the courtyard. Much had changed, evidently. Not only were Septimus and Desrium no where to be seen, a large wyvern was sleeping not too far from the maned dragon, and he could see what appeared to be a very tall robed figure standing at the far end of the courtyard. Turning toward the temple, Jiier could see Radamand staring off into the forest, evidently aware of the two new individuals in the courtyard. This made the maned dragon feel a bit better about the new arrivals. The rain had stopped, at least. The sun was trying to pierce the clouds, giving the shrine a very eerie air around it. Something caught the dragon's eye, however, as the lanky robed figure turned, revealing a gaunt face and piercing, shining eyes. Jiier turned to look quickly, and found just empty space where the being had been moments ago.
Like a statue coming to life, Radamand began to move, heading wordlessly into the temple itself. The giant eventually came to a stop in the center of the room that still held the idol of Soel, looking up at the large window. Although the sky was still darkened with storm clouds, a single ray of evening sun was cast through the window, illuminating the interior of the chamber as it had done before. Perched on the frame of the window was a single raven, which cocked its head at Radamand as he approached.
"You are the shapeshifter Soel spoke of," the giant said, unmoving from his position at the center of the room. The raven fluttered down from the window, expanding in size until it took the form of a robed, elderly woman.
"Soel...that name...I've heard it before," the woman responded, pulling a staff from her robe sleeve, which she readily leaned on.
"Mistress of Storms, Soel guides both storms and seas," Radamand stated, almost as if reciting it from some invisible text. The woman jumped slightly at the realization, the effect only noticeable to a very well-trained eye.
"The Gods...they have not forsaken us after all," she said, more to herself, with some degree of surprise. Radamand frowned. "I mean no disrespect," the woman assured the giant, waving a hand dismissively. "I thought they had long since forgot about us. Moved on to other worlds, other peoples."
"They did," Radamand responded bluntly. "But they remember the burden they placed on this land and its people. Now that the Traitor has returned, they will not let us fight him alone."
"Then perhaps there is hope for us after all."
"You have a plan, yes? A way to vanquish the Traitor?" Radamand asked, his eyes flaring up momentarily.
"Something I've put much thought into, yes...I'm not sure how well it will work, if at all. But as far as I can see, it is the only chance we have."
"What do they call you, changeling?"
The old woman chuckled. "Many things. But you may call me Tzeentch."
"And I am Radamand, servant of the Goddess, Soel. Steward of Storms."
The two beings bowed respectfully to each other, as the single ray of light cast its glow over them both.